Ratner R1 jcm thoughts?

[safeman]

Did I undestand this correct? "took over the Company" = Ratner? "purchase of safes" = Milner's safes?

W R C "Ronnie" Ratcliff was the grandson of the founder Daniel Ratcliff and doubtless inherited the Company on the death of his Father - W M Ratcliff.

Apparently he had a serious fall-out with his Father and they did not communicate with each other which was one reason that attempts to purchase the Company by J W Levy in the 1950s failed.

When "Ronnie" took charge the Ratner range of safes were very expensive and led us to use Stephen Cox instead losing the Agency as a result.

From memory the Ratner and Milner locks are not interchangeable in their bolt fixings.

[safeman]

Did I undestand this correct? "took over the Company" = Ratner? "purchase of safes" = Milner's safes?

I didn't answer the second question.

I have no idea from where the unfortunate order was placed but it would not have been Milner whose lock production was unmatched by the team of Boyce Brothers and Charles Aubin.

If Gary's lock is from one of this batch then this dreadful casting and finishing might even suggest India.

It was a normal practice for some of the large safe-makers to have many safes 'made out' when having to fulfill large overseas orders but not as in Ratner's case to improve their competitiveness. In Tann's showpiece, the London Silver Vaults, many of the doors housing the Dealers showrooms were sub-contracted to Hobbs Hart which was a useful expedient to fulfill the installation date. London safe-makers appeared to have good relationships.

[Gary Stephenson]

I spoke to the fella I bought it from, but he had had the lock in storage for over 20 years and couldn't remember where it had come from.
I cannot imagine this lock being made to replace a milner or ratner lock as a one off, due to the work involved, presumably moulds would need to be made for the bolt and case castings, as well as all the other fabrication work.

[Gary Stephenson]

I think it's OK. Really late in the history of the company. I had a changeable lock with a casting that was very similar and just as rough too.

Do you have any pictures of that lock?

[safeman]

Do you have any pictures of that lock?

It's a sectional enlargement of one of your photographs Gary.

[Gary Stephenson]

It was old lock saying he had seen a changeable lock with similar castings that I was asking after any possible pictures of.

[Kent Tassell]

Hi Gary

How many of these have you seen in your time

[Gary Stephenson]

That's the only one like that I have ever seen y6

[safeman]

That's the only one like that I have ever seen y6

Not all that dissimilar Gary, number on key bow looks authentic -1960's approx. Refers to a door says seller on Ebay.(safecracker 33.) Lots of detailed close -ups.

[Gary Stephenson]

Cheers, that is one of my locks, from a bookroom door and I have seen a few of that type/design before.